Articulated mast for movable concrete pumps

ABSTRACT

A mobile concrete pump comprising at least five mast arms ( 1  to  7 ) which are pivotable relative to each other about horizontal rotation axes (B to G). The first respective mast arm is hinged to a mast block ( 22 ) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal rotation axis (A), said mast block being rotatable about a vertical axis ( 20 ), while one end of the last mast arm has no joint. In order to be able to add other mast arms in a modular manner, a first Z-type folding group comprising the last three mast arms, a first coil-type folding group comprising the penultimate, third to last and fourth to last mast arm, and a second Z-type folding group comprising the third to last, fourth to last, and fifth to last mast arm are provided in a preferred embodiment. The basic configuration can be complemented with additional mast arms by having a sixth to last mast arm form a Z-type folding group consisting of four mast arms along with the third to last, fourth to last, and fifth to last mast arm while a seventh to last mast arm forms a second coil-type folding group together with the fifth to last and sixth to last mast arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns an articulated boom for a mobile concrete pumpcomprising at least five mast arms pivotable relative to each otherabout horizontal rotation axes, wherein the first respective mast arm isarticulated to a mast stand so as to be pivotable about a horizontalrotation axis (A), said mast stand being rotatable about a verticalaxis, the last mast arm having no articulation joint, wherein the mastarms can be folded relative to each other in groups in the manner of aZ-fold or a coil-type fold for transport purposes.

2. Related Art of the Invention

A concrete distribution mast of this type is known (DE-B-3446290),wherein all mast arms can be folded against each other about theirarticulation axes in the manner of a Z-fold. This concrete distributionmast has a great reach and can be employed both in low constructionsites as well as in high-rises. The Z-folding makes possible a rapidoperational deployment, even after the short lifting of the onlypartially unfolded packet of arms, and a high flexibility, in particularduring concretizing of difficult to access locations, wherein dead spaceis substantially avoided both in awkward conveyance near to the vehicleas well as in concretizing in low spaces. The concretizing parallel tothe work plane is possible with the multi-Z-fold. A bringing of the endhose close to the operator cabin is, however, achieved only at theexpense of a relatively high unfolding height.

Further, a five-arm concrete distribution boom is known (WO 94/08111),of which mast arms 1, 2, and 3 are foldable against each other in themanner of a Z-fold while mast arms 3, 4, and 5, on their linkages D andE respectively in the same sense as mast arms 2 and 3 in the area oftheir articulation linkage C, are foldable against each other in themanner of a coil-fold. This mast configuration can be employed both inplanar low spaces with overcoming of obstacles, as well as in highfloors for concretizing with parallel hose guidance, and low fold outheight.

The previously known mast configurations are so conceptualized, thatthey can be provided on a multi-axle vehicle chassis with extended rigidframe or on an articulated tractor-trailer. Motor vehicle regulationsregulate the length and height of motor vehicles, which regulationsstand in the way of a further increase of the range of the distributionmast.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Beginning therewith, it is the task of the present invention to developan articulated mast which, while maintaining permissible axle loads andvehicle heights in the transport condition of a mobile concrete pump,makes possible a significant increase in range.

For the solution of this task, the combination of characteristics setforth in claims 1 and 4 are provided. Advantageous embodiments andfurther developments of the invention can be seen from the dependentclaims.

The inventive solution is based upon the idea that by a suitable startin folding of individual mast groups of the articulated mast a modulartype add-on or expansion by additional mast arms is made possible, whichmakes possible a suitable transport folding for two-part vehicles.

In order to accomplish this, there is provided in accordance with afirst inventive embodiment a first Z-folding group, comprised of thethree last mast arms, a first coil-folding group, comprised of thepenultimate, third to last and fourth to last mast arms and a secondZ-folding group, comprised of the third to last, fourth to last, andfifth to last mast arms. This basic configuration can supplementallyinclude a sixth to last mast arm, which forms, together with the thirdto last, fourth to last, and fifth to last mast arms, a Z-folding groupcomprised of four mast arms. Besides this, a seventh mast arm can beprovided, which together with the fifth to last and sixth to last mastarms forms a second coil-folding group.

According to a further inventive embodiment, a first Z-folding group,comprised of the four last mast arms, a first coil-folding groupcomprised of the third to last, fourth to last, and fifth to last mastarms and a second Z-folding group, comprised of the fourth to last,fifth to last, and sixth to last mast arms, is provided. Thisconfiguration can supplementally include a seventh mast arm, whichtogether with the fifth to last and sixth to last mast arms forms asecond coil-folding group.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pivotrange of the last and the penultimate linkage is at least 200°, whereinthe pivot range of the penultimate linkage is preferably at least 260°.A further advantageous embodiment of the invention envisions that thepivot range of the third to last and fourth to last linkages comprises170° to 270°, while the pivot range of the fifth to last and/or sixth tolast linkage should comprise 240° to 280°. On the first linkage, thefirst mast arm of the articulated mast should exhibit a pivot range ofat least 90°, wherein the upper limit lies at 180° due to therotatability of the mast base about a vertical axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail onthe basis of the illustrative embodiments shown schematically in thefigures. There is shown

FIGS. 1 a, 2 a, and 3 a three side views of mobile concrete pumps withfive arm, six arm and seven arm articulated masts;

FIGS. 1 b and 1 c an enlarged representation of the mobile concrete pumpaccording to FIG. 1 a as well as a folding schematic of the articulatedmast in the transport position;

FIG. 2 b through 2 d a side view of the mobile concrete pump accordingto FIG. 2 a in the transport condition and in the condition of beingmobile on the construction site, as well as folding schematic of thearticulated mast in the condition of being mobile on the constructionsite according to FIG. 2 c;

FIG. 3 b through 3 d a side view of the mobile concrete pump accordingto FIG. 3 a in the condition of the transport and in the condition ofmobility on the construction site, as well as folding schematic of thearticulated mast in the condition of being mobile on the constructionsite according to FIG. 3 c;

FIG. 4 a through 4 c a side view of the mobile concrete pump with a sixarm articulated mast in the condition of the transport and in thecondition of construction site mobility as well as folding schematic ofthe articulated mast in the condition of the construction site mobilityaccording to FIG. 4 b;

FIG. 5 a through 5 c a side view of the mobile concrete pump with aseven arm articulated mast in the condition of transport and in thecondition of construction site mobility as well as folding schematic ofthe articulated mast in the condition of the construction site mobilityaccording to 5 b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The mobile concrete pumps shown in the figures have a building frame 14mounted on the truck chassis 12 of a chassis frame 10, which issupportable upon the ground 18 via support outriggers 16 with lifting upof the chassis frame. The building frame includes a mast block 22rotatable about a vertical axis of the chassis frame 10, which mastblock carries a concrete distribution mast 24 in the form of amulti-element articulated mast. The articulated mast includes a firstmast arm 1 pivotable at a first articulation linkage A with horizontalarticulation axis relative to mast block 22 and additional articulationlinkages D through E (FIG. 1 a through 1 d) or B through F (FIG. 2 athrough 2 d) or B through G (FIG. 3 a through 3 d). Mast arms 2 through5 or 2 through 6 or 2 through 7 are pivotable relative to each otherabout horizontal articulation axes.

On the vehicle chassis, the building frame 14 additionally carries apump unit 26 in the form of a two cylinder thick matter pump, whichoperates according to the principle of a tandem pump and respectively,in a suction stroke, sucks a concrete column out of a material supplycontainer 28 and, in a subsequent pressure stroke, conveys to a concreteconveyance conduit comprised of a pressure pipe 30 and a number ofconcrete conveyance pipes. Via the conveyance line, which passes throughthe rotatable mast block 22 and runs with its not shown concreteconveyance pipes parallel to the mast arms and is rigidly connectedtherewith, the concrete is pumped to the desired concretizing location.

In the transport condition, the mast arms must be so folded together andpositioned upon the vehicle chassis that the vehicle length and vehicleheight, according to the prescription of the traffic regulations, is notexceeded.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the mobile concrete pump,when in the condition of street transport, exhibits, besides the vehiclechassis 10 carrying the construction frame 14, a trailer 32, which hasits own chassis 34 and, via a coupling element 36, is connected to thevehicle chassis 10. The trailer has a carrier stool 40 rotatable aboutthe vertical axis 38 relative to the chassis of the trailer, upon whichthe arm packet 42 projecting beyond the rear end of the vehicle chassis10 in the transport condition is supportable. The arm packet 42 iscomprised of the second mast arm 2 folded out about the secondarticulation linkage B relative to the first mast arm 1 and theremaining mast arms 3 through 6, or as the case may be, 3 through 7 inthe folded together position relative to the second mast arm 2, andforms, together with the first mast arm 1, the coupling element 36between vehicle chassis 10 and trailer 32. The trailer 32 isself-steering. The steering device of the trailer 32 is preferablyelectronically coupled with a steering device of the vehicle chassis 10so that between vehicle chassis 10 and trailer 32 a coordinated drivingaround curves is made possible. The vertical axes 20 and 38 of the mastblock 22 and the carrier stool 40 are free rotation axes of the couplingelements 36 in the condition of street transport. As indicated by thedouble arrow 44 and FIGS. 2 a and 3 a, in the condition of the streettransport, the second articulated linkage B is freely pivotable aboutits articulation axis. In the decoupled condition, the arm packet 42comprised of mast arms 2 through 6, or as the case may be, 2 through 7may be folded against the first mast arm 1 and alone be laid upon thevehicle chassis 10 (2 c, 3 c, 4 b, 5 b). When in the condition of thestreet transport according to FIGS. 2 b, 3 b, 4 b, and 5 b, already amaximal vehicle height has been reached, then after the additionalfolding in of the arm packet 42 a vehicle height exceeding thatpermissible on the street is produced, which height is permissible onlyon the private construction site (thus referred to herein as thecondition of construction area transport).

In the operating condition, care must be taken that the vehicle chassisis sufficiently supported with its support outriggers 16. An improvementin this regard can be achieved by driving or lifted the trailer 32 inthe uncoupled condition onto the vehicle chassis 10 as ballast.

FIGS. 1 a, 2 a, and 3 a show that by a modular construction of thedistribution boom, with relatively simple means, with utilization of thesame arm components, a transition can be made beyond a five arm (FIG. 1a), beyond a six arm (2 a) to a seven arm (3 a) distribution boom.

The starting point is the construction shown in FIG. 1 a, comprised of afirst articulated truck with a five arm distribution boom 24/5 for arange of approximately 60 m. The use of an articulated truck in thebuilding of a mobile concrete pump is the subject of EP-B-0038954.

If the arm packet 42 shown in FIG. 1 a is enhanced by an additional mastarm 1′, then one arrives at the six arm mast configuration shown in FIG.2 a, of which arm packet 42 in the condition of street transport issupported on a three-axle trailer 42. The previous arms 1, 2, 3, etc.become new arms 2′, 3′, 4′. In FIG. 2 a, this is indicated by the armreference numbers 2′/1, 3′/2, 4′4, etc. The range of the distributionboom 24 is increased by the additional arm 1′ to approximately 70 m.

If one folds the total articulated mast according to FIG. 2 a togetherand turns it about 180°, then one obtains an arm packet 42″, which canbe increased by a new mast arm 1″. The arm 2″ in FIG. 3 a must begeometrically adapted (bent) relative to arm 1′ in FIG. 2 a. Theprevious arms 2″, 3″, 4″, etc. now become arms 3″, 4″, 5″, etc. In FIG.3 a, this is indicated by arm reference numbers 3″/2′/1, 4″/3′/2, etc.The six arm packet 42″ is supported on a five axle trailer 32. Theresult according to FIG. 3 a is a seven arm distribution mast 24/7 witha range of approximately 80 m.

The folding schematic of the five arm distribution mast according toFIG. 1 a can be found beside the representation in the condition of thestreet transporter according to FIG. 1 b in FIG. 1 c. The arms 1, 2, and3 are there folded in the Z-manner, while the arm group 3, 4, and 5 arefolded in the manner of a coil-fold.

The folding schematic of the six arm distribution mast according to FIG.2 a can be found beside the representation in the condition of thestreet transport and the construction site transport (FIGS. 2 b and 2 c)in FIG. 2 d. The arms 1, 2, and 3, and the arms 4, 5, and 6 are therefolded in the Z-manner, while the arm group 3, 4, and 5 are folded inthe manner of a coil-fold.

The seven arm mast configurations shown in 3 a through 3 d and 5 athrough 5 c differ essentially in the start folding of the individualmast groups: FIG. 3d: Arm 1, 2, 3: Coil-fold Arm 2, 3, 4: Z-fold Arm 3,4, 5: Coil-fold Arm 4, 5, 6, 7: Z-fold FIG. 5c: Arm 1, 2, 3: Coil-foldArm 2, 3, 4, 5: Z-fold Arm 4, 5, 6: Coil-fold Arm 5, 6, 7: Z-fold

Reference is especially made to the pivot angles, which are provided forlinkages A through G, or as the case may be, A through F, or as the casemay be A through G, in FIGS. 1 c, 2 d, 3 d, 4 c, and 5 c.

In summary, the following can be concluded: The invention concerns amobile concrete pump comprising at least five mast arms (1 to 7) whichare pivotable relative to each other about horizontal rotation axes (Bto G). The first respective mast arm is hinged to a mast block (22) soas to be pivotable about a horizontal rotation axis (A), said mast blockbeing rotatable about a vertical axis (20), while one end of the lastmast arm has no joint. In order to be able to add other mast arms in amodular manner, a first Z-type folding group comprising the last threemast arms, a first coil-type folding group comprising the penultimate,third to last and fourth to last mast arm, and a second Z-type foldinggroup comprising the third to last, fourth to last, and fifth to lastmast arm are provided in a preferred embodiment. The basic configurationcan be complemented with additional mast arms by having a sixth to lastmast arm form a Z-type folding group consisting of four mast arms alongwith the third to last, fourth to last, and fifth to last mast arm whilea seventh to last mast arm forms a second coil-type folding grouptogether with the fifth to last and sixth to last mast arm.

1. A mobile concrete pump comprising mast block rotatable about avertical axis (20), at least five mast arms (1 to 7) which are pivotablerelative to each other about horizontal pivot axes (B to G), andincluding a first mast arm and a last mast arm, wherein the first mastarm (1) is hinged to the mast block (22) so as to be pivotable about ahorizontal pivot axis (A), while the end of the last mast arm has noarticulated joint, and wherein the mast arms can be folded in groupsrelative to each other in the manner of a Z-fold or a coil-type fold fortransport purposes, including a first Z-type folding group comprisingthe last three mast arms, a first coil-type folding group comprising thepenultimate, third to last and fourth to last mast arms, and a secondZ-type folding group comprising the third to last, fourth to last, andfifth to last mast arms.
 2. The mobile concrete pump according to claim1, wherein a sixth to last mast arm, along with the third to last,fourth to last, and fifth to last mast arms, form a Z-type folding groupconsisting of four mast arms.
 3. The mobile concrete pump according toclaim 1 wherein a seventh to last mast arm forms a second coil-typefolding group together with the fifth to last and sixth to last mastarms.
 4. A mobile concrete pump comprising mast block rotatable about avertical axis (20), at least six mast arms (1 to 7) which are pivotablerelative to each other about horizontal pivot axes (B to G), including afirst mast arm and a last mast arm, wherein the first mast arm (1) ishinged to the mast block (22) so as to be pivotable about a horizontalpivot axis (A), while the end of the last mast arm has no articulatedjoint, and wherein the mast arms can be folded in groups relative toeach other in the manner of a Z-fold or a coil-type fold for transportpurposes, including a first Z-type folding group comprising the lastfour mast arms, a first coil-type folding group comprising the third tolast, fourth to last and fifth to last mast arms, and a second Z-typefolding group comprised of the fourth to last, fifth to last and sixthto last mast arms.
 5. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 4,wherein a seventh to last mast arm forms a second coil-type foldinggroup together with the fifth to last and sixth to last mast arms. 6.The mobile concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the pivot rangeof the last and penultimate linkage is at least 200°.
 7. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 1, wherein, the pivot range of thepenultimate linkage is at least 260°.
 8. The mobile concrete pumpaccording to claim 1, wherein the pivot range of the third to last andfourth to last linkage is 170° to 270°.
 9. The mobile concrete pumpaccording to claim 1, wherein the pivot range of the fifth to last andsixth to last linkage is 240° to 280°.
 10. The mobile concrete pump mastaccording to claim 1, wherein the pivot range of the first linkage (A)is 90° to 180°.
 11. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 4,wherein the pivot range of the last and penultimate linkage is at least200°.
 12. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 4, wherein thepivot range of the penultimate linkage is at least 260°.
 13. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 4, wherein the pivot range of the thirdto last and fourth to last linkage is 170° to 270°.
 14. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 4, wherein the pivot range of the fifthto last and sixth to last linkage is 240° to 280°.
 15. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 4, wherein the pivot range of the firstlinkage (A) is 90° to 180°.